Adv. S Jithesh, who gained popularity through his ‘Super Speedy Cartooning’, conducted his on the spot cartoon stage show ‘Varayarangu’, in an event organized by Bharat Bhavan, at the Cotton Hill School on November 14, in association with Children’s Day.

Through this show he sketched out for an eager audience, the Indian history, Nehru, Manmohan Sigh, Rabindranath Tagore, VS Achuthanandan, Mahatma Gandhi, film stars, sports personalities and singers. While this live event entertained children, it also proved to be an interesting way of learning the nation’s history. Jithesh had earlier conducted shows in various schools on November 1 in association with Kerala Piravi.

The major crowd puller in Jithesh’s shows is the fact that he sketches caricatures of more than fifty celebrities in five minutes. He has drawn cover illustrations and caricatures for several Malayalam books too including Kamala Das’ collection of short stories ‘Madhavikkuttiyue Unmakathakal’.

 

Yentha brings to you a candid chat with this cartoonist about his creations and his aim.

 

We have heard about ‘Kaviyarangu’. Here it’s ‘Varayarangu’...!  I ventured to experiment with the art of caricaturing as a ‘Stage Art’. It is a blending of poetry and anecdotes and socio-political satire with high speed drawing. I’m trying to explore the performing level dimensions and possibilities of ‘Fine Art’ and ‘Art of Cartooning’.

 

In Trivandrum I perform ‘Varayarangu’ based on Kerala history and culture. Sathish Babu Payyannur (Secretary, Bharath Bhavan ) is the chief co-ordinator of my Trivandrum programmes. Today, the new generation has no interest in learning history or our great past. Everyone tries to get a Medical or Engineering seat by hook or crook. We have no time to pay homage to or commemorate our freedom fighters and great martyrs. Suppose you were to ask a cyber-era kid about the importance of Nov 1st.  You will probably get this answer: “November 1st...Oh...It’s the birthday of beauty queen Aiswarya Rai! She was born on 1973 Nov 1st at Mangalapuram.” But the same chap will keep mum if asked about Bhagath Singh or Rajguru. This is the attitude of the new generation. At the same time, these kids are very crazy about cartoons. I would like to impart knowledge about our history and culture through the young generation’s favorite medium-‘Cartoons’. I do sprinkle the pepper and salt of funny comments and interesting jokes to make my show more delicious.

 

 The history of this art form ‘Varayarangu’ starts from June 22, 2008. As a tribute to my departed Chithrakala Guru Artist VS Vallyathan, I drew 50 celebrity faces within five minutes at a commemorative meeting of Vallyathan conducted at Pandalam on that day. Noted persons like sculptor Kanayi Kunjiraman and Former Minister Pandalam Sudhakaran were there to witness this event.